WTF #2

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Jawas vs. Ewoks and a special gift from Jessica.

By Jessica Chobot

Welcome to Round II of WTF. A cornucopia of gaming culture that hits you where it counts and leaves you begging for more.

Normally it isn't in my nature to get all sappy, but I just want to give a shout-out to all you IGN Insiders out there that read the debut article. I've gotten a load of positive responses/feedback and have had a blast reading everyone's commentary. It's because of this that I have decided to include a little somethin'-somethin' extra this time around that I was planning on holding off on until later. Something so cool, you'll drop a bomb in your shorts. For real.

Don't let anyone tell you that flattery won't get you anywhere. Because it does. And it will.

Ok, enough of the happy, sappy crapola. Let us delve into the nitty-gritty...

E-zine/Pop culture: Two years ago, life was sucking for me...hard.

I had just broken up with a guy that I had been living with for the past 3 years (good riddance now, but at the time it seemed a tragedy). I hated my old job so much that I had developed a serious case of bleeding ulcers. Top that off with the fact that I found myself, once more, enrolled in a college I couldn't afford, for another degree I didn't want, in a sad attempt to up the ante on my job marketability. (Office Space was becoming less and less funny).

Enter my substantial tax return.

Thanks to Bush's financial prowess (*sarcasm*), I was apparently entitled to quite a hefty little return from our government that year. And, like all mature and responsible adults, I promptly went out and spent it&#Array;on a trip to Japan.

Now, despite what you may be thinking, this section of my article isn't so much about my trip to Japan, (not that there aren't wild and crazy stories to tell) as it is what I came across while doing the research for my escape.

While searching around for cheap international airfare, I came across this little ditty JapaneseStreets.com.

JapaneseStreets.com is a 100% free E-zine dedicated exclusively to Tokyo street fashion (also known as "Fruits"), and street culture.

You know those Harajuku girls in the Gwen Stefani videos? Well, that's what we're talking about here...except these are the real deal.

The site itself is so chock full of random bits of information, that it's somewhat confusing (and a little tedious) to navigate. The actual appearance of the site is a tad mediocre (I've been following this site for quite a few years now and have yet to see them change the layout or the intro pic). However, don't let its haphazardness dissuade you-for there are a plethora of hidden treasures to be found within.

Personally, the highlight for me is the Street Fashion photo system. Click on the link and up pops a menu organized by date. Choose any date available and you're instantly inundated with pics of Japan's extroverted (and terribly fashionable) youth.

We're talking homemade haute couture here people!

Taken directly from the streets of Tokyo, these creative ensembles range anywhere from Cosplay to Lolita Goths to Punk Rock to just straight-up ugly.

One would think that checking out these wacked out get-ups would be fun enough, but no, there's more! For underneath every picture is a mini write-up which shares information regarding where the clothes were bought (and for how much), the date said picture was taken, how many hits it has received since its post and any commentary made by site members. There is even an "e-card" option which allows you to send your favorite fruits pic to either friend or enemy (or both, if you're so inclined).

In addition to the fashion scene, JapaneseStreets also boasts a message board, friend finder, photo gallery for members and an awesome links list that touches upon almost any interest you have regarding Japan.

At the very least, this site will give you a chuckle and waste a few unneeded minutes of your lifetime. At its very best, this site will inspire boundless creativity and entice you to wear legwarmers.

Escape-ism: Ever get that feeling that someone is out to get you?

You just know that whacha-ma-whoozit by the water cooler has been trying to sabotage that promotion you've been working so hard towards. Or what's-her-butt has been spreading rumors to all her girlfriends that you get pedicures on the sly (and opt for the clear polish).

These are the times you wish you could just roll up into a ball and cry for mommy.

Fear not, because when mommy is unavailable to pet your head, you can always find respite on the web.

Remember that incident in college when you went out clubbing with your friend and they handed you an aspirin and bottle of water and you woke up without any clothes on and felt funny for days? Well...me neither, but I was told that London Vibe induces that exact same feeling.

The self-titled Safeplaces flash is a little less "zoney" and quite a bit more interactive. Think "The Little Prince" meets the trance scene...and it's all clickable.

Quite ingenious, these Flashes are high quality, low-key entertainment. If you haven't managed to reach a state of Zen after screwing around on this site for an hour or so, then my next suggestion to you is a prescription for Adavan.

Manga: I've been seeing a big influx of shojo-related manga titles recently. I can only deduce that this means publishers are starting to recognize the ever-increasing female manga market. While a lot of these shojo titles leave a bit to be desired, there are some that are incredibly well written. So well written, in fact, that they've garnered quite a significant amount male fans as well.

One of the best shojo mangas that I've come across in a long time (in fact, it's my favorite manga to date), is Hot Gimmick, by: Aihara Miki. Released as installments in Japan's Betsucomi shojo magazine back in December 2000, it has recently been picked up by Viz for distribution here in the states. As of yet, only 8 volumes are available in bookstores, vol. 9 is available now through mail order via Viz's website, or you can wait until July to find it on the shelves.

Essentially the story revolves around a girl named Hatsumi (this is where I got my game handle from-I'm such a fan girl sometimes-lol), and her often tumultuous, and somewhat incestual, relationships with 3 very handsome and dashing young men. If normal teenage angst, desires and rebellion aren't enough to keep a story rolling, they've made all three characters (and families) neighbors within the same company housing complex.

Hatsumi is the middle child of the Narita family. A nice, cute and normal girl, Hatsumi's life is pretty standard for your average high schooler...that is, until the day she gets caught covering for her sister by Ryouki (the housing complexes spoiled little prince). Now Hatsumi finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Does she come clean about her sister and risk ruining her entire family's reputation, or does she do what Ryouki wants in exchange for him keeping quiet?

Ryouki is the incredibly smart, incredibly snotty son of the Tachibana family. The housing complex's highest paid and most notable family, the Tachibanas recognize their position within the company food chain (and make sure that everyone else recognizes it as well). The tenants try their best to avoid the wrath of the Tachibanas, but no one as much as Hatsumi, who had been "attacked" (pushed down some concrete stairs) by Ryouki when they were toddlers. When Ryouki catches Hatsumi trying to cover for her younger sister, Akane, he blackmails her into being his "love slave." Figuring that he might as well get some practice in on her until something better comes along, Ryouki finds himself in deeper emotional waters than he had planned as he begins to question the blossoming feelings for his captive.

Shinogu is the oldest child of the Narita family. Handsome and hard working, Shinogu is the rock within Hatsumi's ocean of drama. However, little does she know the dark desires that Shinogu harbors deep within. What are these secrets that Shinogu is hiding? Will the Narita family be strong enough to weather the storm?

Azusa is Hatsumi's long-lost childhood friend. A model that has recently come back from overseas, Azusa has everything that Hatsumi has ever wished for...but looks can sometimes be deceiving and the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Can Azusa be too good to be true?

While the "romance" theme within this manga is quite strong and the main focus of the story line, there are a ton of well executed sub-plots which keep the story from becoming boring. Then there's the artwork. Drawn in a style that manages to be both expressive, simplistic, and detail-oriented all at once, one finds themselves actually picturing these characters and the events within their lives as something completely feasible. Combining solid writing with realistically detailed artwork, I can honestly say that this is one of the best shojo mangas to date.

Now, I know the guys out there are thinking, "romance manga? Are you serious!?" I'm here to say, "yes," deadly serious. Deadly, like a ninja star to your head, serious. I beg you - don't write off this manga just because it's a shojo. I know many, many men that gave Hot Gimmick a shot and were converted. It's good stuff -- I swear. I've got all eight volumes and have yet to be disappointed.